CVE-2020-0333 in Android
Summary
by MITRE
In UrlQuerySanitizer, there is a possible improper input validation. This could lead to remote code execution with no additional execution privileges needed. User interaction is not needed for exploitation.Product: AndroidVersions: Android-11Android ID: A-73822755
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-0333 resides within the UrlQuerySanitizer component of Android operating systems, specifically affecting Android 11 and earlier versions. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that could potentially allow remote code execution without requiring any additional privileges or user interaction for exploitation. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the URL query sanitization process, which serves as a fundamental security control for processing web requests and preventing malicious input from being processed by applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which describes improper input validation, and specifically relates to how URL query parameters are processed and sanitized within the Android framework. When applications or system components process URL queries, they rely on UrlQuerySanitizer to validate and clean input parameters before further processing. The flaw occurs when the sanitization logic fails to properly validate or filter malicious input, allowing specially crafted URL parameters to bypass security checks. This weakness enables attackers to inject malicious code or commands that can be executed within the context of the vulnerable application or system component.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-0333 is severe given that exploitation does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in mobile environments where users may encounter malicious URLs through various attack vectors such as phishing emails, malicious websites, or compromised applications. The vulnerability could be leveraged to execute arbitrary code on affected devices, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or unauthorized access to sensitive information. Attackers could exploit this flaw through web-based attacks that target the Android framework's URL processing capabilities, making it a significant threat to mobile device security and potentially affecting a wide range of applications that rely on URL query handling.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper input validation controls and ensuring that all URL query parameters undergo rigorous sanitization before processing. System administrators and developers should prioritize updating to patched versions of Android that address this specific vulnerability, as Google released security updates for affected Android versions. Organizations should also implement network-level protections such as web application firewalls and URL filtering mechanisms to detect and block malicious URL patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and implementing proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles, particularly focusing on preventing injection attacks that could exploit similar weaknesses in application frameworks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the exploitation could lead to command execution through manipulated URL parameters, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive measures across multiple security layers.